I Don’t know if you’ve ever been to a dam before. But on one side is this massive amount of water seemingly rising up to the top almost of the dam itself, and then on the other side, amazingly the water is significantly lower, calmer, gentler, sometimes shallow even…

When the gates to the dam were closed, holding back the water – you could wade out into the water on this second side. Walk across the rocks protruding out of the water almost right up to the dam itself. You could fish and just float around, whatever you wanted…

But get it! Those HUGE GATES were restraining massive amounts of water– directly ABOVE our heads. Had the gates opened a wall of water would have descended and swept us away to our death!

Fortunately there was a warning signal. 10 minutes before the gates were to open, the Power Co. issued a blast on a horn. At five minutes there was another blast and then at one minute there were 3 long blasts

Those blasts on the horn were the sign that danger was near! We could fish and swim and hang out and the river would be calm. But then out of the blue that horn would BLAST. And when it did we looked up because that was THE SIGN — that were in imminent danger and the coming of the waters was drawing near.

Now I want to turn a corner and draw an analogy to that scene. Because for 2000 years this Christ rejecting world has been flowing along and God been quiet & merciful, holding back the waters of His wrath for this world.

Now before I tell you my proposition, I need to clarify something with you. I’m not an expert on the Book of Revelation. However, I am going to do my best to explain to you what I believe that the passages we are studying are saying. That is, I’m going to try and help us connect the dots and hopefully, do so without taking Scripture out of context.

With that said my proposition is that on June 7, 1967 – after almost 2000 years of quiet – God sounded His alarm. He gave THE SIGN that signals that Judgments of the Great Tribulation and the return of Christ are near at hand.

NOTICE – I didn’t say “imminent” I didn’t say ANY DATE at all. I don’t know when nor do I have any clue. No one does. But, as I read Scripture and attempt to interpret some of the things in context. I have come to the conclusion that our passage today refers to events that transpired on June 7, 1967.

However, I’m just one person. You need to decide for yourselves. Not everyone will agree with me. I could be wrong. BUT…

You need to know that this core belief, that GOD has sounded the warning signal motivates me to be here with you, sharing my faith, teaching you GOD’S Word, serving you and trying to help you see that that’s what GOD wants you to be doing for others as well. It’s why I’m so passionate about seeing our children and students taught the truth of Scripture in a culturally relevant, age appropriate manner. It’s why it is so important that we take our responsibility in serving others seriously. It’s why we meet and make plans and why we Invest & Invite!

With that said, Here’s the sign found in Luke 21:24 “They will fall by the sword, and will be taken as prisoners to all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles – until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Now take a look at verse 28) “And when these things Begin to take place (began June 7, 1967) stand up, lift up your head because your redemption is drawing near!”

So now you’re probably thinking what exactly is this sign?

We’ll find out as we look at Luke 21 because in this passage Jesus actually predicts 2 events! The first is a short-range prediction that regarded the destruction of Jerusalem and was fulfilled 38 years later. The second is a long range prediction and it has to do with the Great Tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ. And, I believe we are beginning to see its realization some 2000 years later.

Let’s be perfectly honest, anybody can predict events 100’s of years into the future knowing they’ll be long dead and gone before history has an opportunity to prove them wrong. Right? So, it was essential for God’s prophets to make Short Range predictions (something that would come pass before too long in order to qualify the long range prediction.

That’s exactly what Jesus does in this text. Before he predicts a long range event about His return, & signs to proceed it, He predicts a short range prophecy, namely the destruction of Jerusalem .
(5) “Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God.”

Get the setting, Jesus had been teaching all day at the Temple and now He and His disciples have ascended summit of a hill. 200′ below them—is the city of Jerusalem. As they gaze over the city one thing dominates the view, Herod’s Temple. It was massive! It occupied the entire northwest corner of a plateau. It’s stones were cut from solid stone, and inlaid with pure gold. History tells us that it took 84 years to construct the entire complex!

But Jesus looks down at the complex and declares that it will be destroyed.

[6] “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another. Every one of them will be thrown down.”
Quite a prediction! Every stone turned loose from the others! But listen, most of these same disciples lived to see its fulfillment…

38 yrs later in 70 A.D., the Romans turned on the Israelis and ordered Titus, (the Roman general), to destroy the City of Jerusalem and level the Temple.

He went in with his army and burned the city to the ground and drove the remaining Jews out and destroyed the Temple.

Actually some stones were left unmoved after the attack. But Jesus’ prediction was that every one of them will be thrown down, separated.

Remember what was in the stones? GOLD! And after a time the Romans discovered it. So they went back in and pried the stones apart to reach the gold. And when they finished not one stone was left standing on another, perfectly fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy.

Back to verse 24: “They (Jews) will fall by the sword, (did) and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations (were) Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

When Jesus said that Jerusalem would be trampled on by Gentiles, He meant that non-Israeli countries would control Jerusalem. Gentile peoples would be in charge of Jerusalem.

Was that accurate? YES!!! Beginning in 70 A.D. with the Roman conquest, Jerusalem was continuously controlled by a host of Gentile nations.

See that preposition “until”? Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles – until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled…

Until is a term of transition and the meaning of the text turns on that preposition. Jesus was saying that Jerusalem would be controlled by NON-Jewish countries and that would be the trend until something is completed. But when that trend was completed and Jerusalem was returned to Israeli control – that would be the signal that something different was beginning.

Watch what follows right on the heels of the return of Jerusalem to Israeli control.

25] There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26] Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken…

GET IT: Right now — God’s wrath against this Christ rejecting world is being restrained, But only by his MERCY God’s mercy is like a giant dam that’s holding back His fury.

27] “At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory!” But what is the EVENT that signals that this is near?

Remember, Jesus said –there would be a trend whereby Jerusalem would be controlled & oppressed by outsiders.

History caps on: In 70 A.D. Jerusalem fell into hands of Rome. Then in
• 615 – Persians
• 637 - Caliph Omar
• 1099 – Crusaders
• 1187 – Saladin
• 1250 – Egyptian Mamelukes
• 1517 - Turks
• 1917 – Great Britain
• 39’ – 45’ 6 million dead at the hands of Hitler

But when this trend ceases that will be the sign, “…until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

And on May 14, 1948 the trend changed! Almost overnight Israel became a nation. From 70 A.D. until 1948 no Israel! Israel did not yet control Jerusalem but, incredibly, after almost 1900 years, she again became a nation.

Remember Jesus’ prediction spoke specifically about Jerusalem being under Israeli control, not just Israel. That would be the sign.

From 1948-1967, Jerusalem was a divided city. Arabs and Israelis faced each other across a barbed wire.

But in June 1967 Israel launched a preemptive strike against the surrounding Arab nations.

She sent all her planes out to sea, and came in from a unique direction, hit Egypt and Syria and knocked out 90% of the enemy aircraft before they could even get off the ground.

Israel captured:
? Golan Heights from Syria
? Gaza – Egypt
? Pushed Jordan back – beyond West Bank

And at 9:50, June 7, 1967 – Jerusalem went back Israel! On that day, the control of Gentile nations over Israel ENDED!

Jesus says: (28) “And when these things begin to take place stand up lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near!”

We don’t know when and anyone who claims they do is a liar! But I do believe the shadows are being cast… and that in the scheme of the scope of history are time is shorter now than ever before and we need to diligent to help those around us prepare by sharing the truth of the gospel with them.

Until next time I’ll be serving Him with you,
James

February 14, 1990, Valentine’s day- of all days. And NASA scientists instructed Voyager 1 to turn around and take the first picture ever recorded of our solar system – from the outside. So they turned Voyager around. And from 4 billion miles away Voyager snapped a series of 60 images of our -home.
When scientists saw -image it seemed so tiny & Insignificant that they called it the Pale Blue dot.

Nevertheless, that Pale Blue dot is our home. Every human being who ever lived, has lived there. Abraham, Moses, Einstein, even Hitler & Amin But Listen: If you think little world is insignificant Don’t miss what I am about to say: Because that Pale Blue Dot is the sole object of God’s love.
It’s as if God has blinders on when it comes to rest of his galactic creation. For some reason God is fascinated with this little world. In fact John 3:16 in the Bible tells us – “For God so loves that world…”

Question then is why is God in love with a planet? It’s not that He’s really in love with the planet. It’s that He’s in love with the people on this planet. In matter of fact He’s so in love with you that 2000 years ago – He left heaven and came to this earth … and so loved you that died for you so that you could be with Him forever. By the way, Christians call that the 1st coming of Christ. He sacrificed & died so we might live.

But make no mistake: He’s Coming back to the Pale Blue Dot a 2nd time. Revelation 22: says of Jesus “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Meaning what? Meaning, God’s not finished with the Pale Blue Dot! God has a plan for this planet and people on it.

Winston Churchill, when talking about the Soviet Union, once said they were: “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Hard, if not impossible, to understand. Right?

Unfortunately many Christians, including a significant number of Pastors feel the same way about the Book of Revelation. Because of this they never take the time to properly understand all of the richness this Book has to offer.

To begin with, we have a clue from the very name of the Book itself. The Greek word used in the title is “Apokalupsis.” It literally means a revealing or unveiling. Something that is revealed or unveiled is not meant to be hidden. So we can see, even from the name, that GOD has something He wants us to know. That knowledge should do a couple of things – 1) encourage us that we can understand this book and 2) and show us that it is not beyond our capability to do so.

Now a couple of things about that.
1. To be sure the Book of Revelation is filled with strange images and descriptions. Its different from other Books in Scripture.
2. In order to understand it we should utilize the same hermeneutic to examine Revelation as we do the rest of Scripture. That is, we examine it with the same literal, grammatical-historical hermeneutical method by which non-prophetic portions of Scripture are interpreted. Fancy way of saying we should determine what it means the same way we determine every other portion of Scripture: NORMALLY!
James, why are you making such a big deal about that? Because people have misinterpreted this book and abused it seeking evidences for their own bizarre end time views. The result has been confusion in the average person’s mind about this incredible Book and all it has to offer.

For example some hold a preterist view – that is they view all of Revelation as having happened already, specifically in the Roman empire of the 1st Century. This person holds that everything has already occurred including X’s 2nd coming (in the destruction of the temple in 70 AD), even though X obviously did not return then…

Then there is the historicist. This is a person given to allegorizing the text in order to be able to apply its images to whatever historical event they believe it depicts. Some see the advent of Islam, the French revolution, the fall of Rome, etc., all depicted in allegory.

Next we find the idealist. This person sees the Book as a kind of eternal depiction of the battle between good and evil, something that applies to every age but not for any specific age. The result is a mystifying of the context without any real life application and a spiritualizing of the text.

Finally there is the futurist. This person sees chapters 4 -22 of Revelation as describing future people and events. This is the only view that takes the Book at its word and ascribes a normal hermeneutical method of interpretation. This view places a high view of Scripture and does not attempt to allegorize away things that may be difficult to understand.

As a church, we want to interpret Scripture normally, not leave it open to human opinion or feelings or allegory. We approach this Scripture just like we do all other. That is, determining its historical, grammatical, and normative hermeneutical context and then determining what GOD has to say to us today based on what He was saying to the original recipients.

I. WHY MUST X RETURN TO EARTH? 2 reasons: We’ll go over the first.
#1: To Restore Paradise

Set up – study of the book of Revelation by having us turn to the Book of Genesis. Because to understand — final book of Bible we have to understand the first book of the Bible. Genesis & Revelation are like the 2 bookends of Bible. To grasp the wonders of Revelation we Have to grasp the gravity of situation in Genesis.
Genesis describes disaster of paradise lost. Revelation describes wonders of paradise regained.

Follow the sequence: It all began in GENESIS I with:

#1 PARADISE CREATED

Gen 1: 1] In the beginning, God created the universe & the earth. 31] God saw all that he had made, & it was very good.

PHRASE: very good means absolute perfection in the original language. In other words in the Garden of Eden there was perfection with no imperfection! There was no

(1) Pain
(2) Sorrow
(3) Suffering
(4) Disease
(5) Death

Say something must have happened- because this world is not paradise!

#2. PARADISE LOST
The loss of paradise was triggered when sin impacted creation. God warned Adam & Eve after He created paradise. He said, If you sin; you spark catastrophic disaster that will curse the world . The world will become a place of sorrow, and pain, and suffering, and disease and death. And from that day – till this day our planet has had an incessant history pain, suffering, disease and death.

WHY? because the laws of physics that once sustained PARADISE – were turned upside down and replaced with laws of physics that lead to death & decay. Laws like the Laws of Thermodynamics & Entropy which states that complex organisms tend to break down, over time, to their base elements. That’s decay! But that’s going to change because…

#3 PARADISE WILL BE RECREATED

What was lost in Genesis will be regained in the Book of Revelation: Paradise will be restored.

Rev 19: 11] 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war… 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (ESV)

And what’s he coming back for? What is His goal in this? Rev 21:5] He who was seated on the throne said; I am making everything – NEW! Jesus says: Going be all this stuff going down. Rapture, Tribulation, Armageddon, Judgments, but Jesus says let me tell you where it all leads. It’s about making all things NEW.

21: 1] Then I saw a new heaven (universe) and a new earth.

That word “new” form the Greek Xainos means new in terms of quality. We’re going to get — a new quality universe and a new quality earth. And what will that earth be like?

Take a look at this passage…

21:4] 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (NLT)

Simply put: Paradise is restored. And in the end we have a return to the Garden Of Eden type of existence.

Until next time,
James

I know that its been a while since I’ve been able to post but not too worry I’ve been busy working on trying to get capability to upload our teaching files on a weekly basis here. I’m happy to announce that my friend Jay has once again come to our rescue and it looks like we’ll be able to make exactly that happen from now on!  

This week we begin with a message from 1 Peter 1:13 entitled “Our Response, Part 1 – Guard Your Mind” In subsequent weeks I hope to begin uploading from the beginning of our study so that others can catch up and follow along as we all learn what God has to say to us through this incredible book.

For this week by way of an introduction : To know me is to know that I love driving trucks. Doesn’t matter what kind. I’ve just almost always owned some type of truck. One thing common to almost all of my trucks, (a few go back a ways to predate this technology), and actually to all cars today is something called the “Brain” or ECU. This is usually tucked up under the dash somewhere, sometimes in the engine compartment wrapped in foil to protect it from the heat – but somewhere your car has a brain. 

This brain controls almost all of the functions of your car: all the electrical, some mechanical (which is controlled by the electrical system). Without it your car will not operate as it was intended. We found this out first hand back when we lived in Miami. One of our trucks had the brain malfunction and it would not run. Wouldn’t go in gear at all. The mechanic told us that we were looking at about a $2k replacement – just for the part!  Well after I recovered from fainting I decided to try and locate one myself in a junkyard and do the repair. Well, I found one and got it replaced but I learned right then and there that if the brain’s not functioning properly nothing else will either.

Listen, just like the brain in your car, inside your skull you have an approximately 3lb jelly like playdough looking mass that is the world’s greatest supercomputer! And this supercomputer in your head controls and governs every system, every function, everything about you physically and mentally. And if it begins to malfunction it will have a catastrophic effect on behavior, mood, desire, motivations, and decision-making.

Satan knows the importance of this play dough in your skull too! He knows that it controls everything about you and he and his demons are incessantly trying to penetrate it. If your mind is left unchecked, unguarded and undisciplined you are vulnerable to his attacks which often lead to moral and spiritual failure. 

Let’s listen in as we learn what God’s word has to say to us about this important subject.

Serving Him with you,

James

Press here to begin listening.

I have had privilege of travelling all over world: Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Eastern Europe (former Soviet Union: in Kiev, Ukraine when voted to leave Soviet Union), Far East to China…

Always love visiting places! Seeing new sites, learning about new peoples, etc… But 1 thing always true no matter where I had visited or ministered – I LOVED to come home! Back to family, friends, routine, my own house, own restaurants, own car, own bed, My dogs… etc. You know what I mean. There’s just something comforting about the familiar.

Ever taken family vacation by car? Ever notice those final miles seem to take forever? We used to take a couple of trips to Disney World each year. Kind of like mini vacations. I always noticed that the miles going out seemed to fly by but on the return trip those last 20-30 miles seemed to take forever! However, what agreat  feeling it was when we finally turned the corner of our street! 

If you’ve followed this blog at all you know we’ve been studying 1 Peter.  Know what’s special about 1^st Peter 1 –Its really an encouragement about “GOING HOME” for the child of God. 

Without revealing any details let’s just say that I certainly feel that RLF is under some sort of attack. Family after family has been accosted with tragedy or trials of some type or another.

I’m hoping that God’s Word is sufficient for them and me. Well i know its sufficient, the point is will we trust it to be or will we try to fight out way through and “make it on our own.”

Right at the beginning of the letter Peter expresses a wonderful phrase.. “grace and peace.”

Here’s to praying for both in abundance no matter what you may be experiencing. God in His great mercy has given us a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. One that does not fade or spoil.

Serving Him with you,
Pastor James

James

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

The end result here is a veiled attempt to regulate and censor Christian thought and bully churches into only speaking a politically correct version of the Bible.

I seem to remember a story from Scripture about the Apostles Peter and John being arrested and thrown in jail for speaking the truth regarding Jesus. In the end they had to chose whether it was better to obey GOD or man. I for one believe that they made the absolutely right choice.

Preach the WORD… New Hope Church and Pastor Cadle and shame on you Brevard Public Schools for claiming that the series was not appropriate for elementary school children. I don’t know but it seems that when the church is meeting in the facility, school is not in session. Therefore, what is and isn’t appropriate for the elementary aged school children is entirely up to their parents – the same ones bringing them with them to church each weekend. NOT the school system of Brevard County Florida. If parents who received the mailers don’t want their kids hearing Biblical teaching on the subject they don’t have to bring them.

James

It never fails to make me stop and contemplate what GOD might think of all this stuff we are trying to move. Its amazing how much you can amass, even though you have been steadily downsizing all along! I just remember a verse of Scripture from Matthew that speaks volumes at times like these: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Mt 8:20). Some people believe this this refers only to Jesus poverty. I think that might be over-simplifying it a bit. I think upon reflection, that we certainly see that Jesus is indicating His current state; however, I also think that if we look further we can be reminded of just how much He gave up in order to come here.

Lord, help me to keep my life in perspective. No matter how much I downsize or hold on to – none of it is eternal. Only the things done in you last.

James

Have had one family visiting consistently for the past four weeks. Praising the LORD for them but asking Him to bring us more. Still wanting to figure out how to really communicate the truth of what awaits those who die without a relationship with Christ. I am convinced that if we truly understood that then we would live our lives dramatically differently. We’d be making time for neighbors and friends and family who don’t know Jesus instead of just trying to keep our part of the wheel turning. God help me – to see what you see and to be bold to declare who you are.

Until Next time,

James